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Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool" -
Re: 2024 Draft Watch
2 sliders? Doesn't sound like us.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Little bit one paced hey? He’ll fit right in!- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Think I'd be pretty torn with this one. On the one hand, having Reid slide like that would be amazing, and he'd be clearly best available.
But for the next pick - I really don't want us spending significant assets on another tall given how much we've committed in this area since 2020, especially when Hannaford is still on the board, but passing up on Trainor would be a VERY brave move. Tough position to be in for whoever makes the final call there.Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Plays very much similar to weightman, relying on his smarts and positioning. Not sure he's a player that fits our team needs but I could see him becoming very serviceable for another club. Reminds me of Robbie Gray in the way he moves and uses his body.Jesse Dattoli often gets linked to us in the various phantom draft speculations.
To me because he is a marking type small forward he is an almost close match to Cody Weightman so I haven't had a closer look at him.
Here is his write up from Code Sports
A draft riser this year, Dattoli is a clever half-forward who can also push into the midfield and have an impact. He had an injury-interrupted bottom-age year in 2023, but was kicking goals at all levels ? and in all areas ? this season. Dattoli has had some monster games at school level with Carey Grammar, after starting the Coates Talent League season in fine fashion with the Knights. During the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro he played as a half-forward, before being used as a genuine wingman in the final game against Vic Country. Dattolli gathered 20 disposals and eight marks in that game, showing an ability to read the play, run good patterns and get back to support his defence. He also took one of the marks of the tournament in Vic Metro?s second game against Western Australia, showing off his strong overhead marking as he soared over the top of an opponent at half-forward.
Dattoli is a creative ball user who generally makes good decisions with the footy in hand and can change the momentum of games. In a Wildcard weekend match against the Eastern Ranges in late August, Dattoli was best afield with 35 disposals, seven clearances, nine score involvements and a goal.
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Jesse i think would fit us perfect he would partner with weightman we need a small forward because we don?t have many.Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Absolutely. I’d still be going Hannaford even without the concussion history because of personal preference and list needs (JOD and Buss is enough for now imo) but I can appreciate that the majority currently have Trainor rated higher and the club have apparently put some time into him recentlyComment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Let me see if this works. From SEN
The 2024 AFL National Draft is right around the corner, stacked with more talent than we have seen in years.
This year’s midfield-heavy top order will be shaped by Richmond’s enormous draft hand, which will ultimately be the key factor deciding the direction other clubs in the first round choose.
The first round features some big-name father-son and Next Generation Academy stars, including Levi Ashcroft and Leo Lombard – where will bids for them come in?
This mock draft will detail each prospect, with father-son and Academy bids taken into consideration.
Although live trading won’t be considered in this mock draft, we can expect to see some movement in the top order on the night.
Pick 1. (Richmond) – Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro – MID, 182cm
Undeniably the most consistent talent throughout 2024, Jagga Smith is a lock for a long and productive career, which is what makes him a safer option at pick 1.
The smaller midfielder is a workhorse accumulator, with sharp ball skills, toughness, and evasiveness that makes him tough to defend and limit around the stoppage.
Pick 2. (North Melbourne) – Sam Lalor
GWV Rebels/Vic Country – MID/FWD, 188cm
If the Kangaroos are picking the next best talent, Lalor is a Dustin Martin prototype, packaged with explosiveness and power in the front half that can swing games and create big moments.
Lalor’s question marks surround his injury troubles in the past two years which would deter Richmond from taking him at 1, however, his X-Factor propels him above most others on the ground with his scoreboard impact and cleanliness around the stoppage.
Pick 3. (Carlton) – Finn O’Sullivan
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country – MID, 182cm
Doing things most others can’t on the field, O’Sullivan is an elusive forward of centre player that offers speed and versatility that the Blues midfield demands.
With elite overhead ability and forward-half impact, O’Sullivan may have a similar impact to his cousin, Sam Walsh, at AFL level.
Pick 4. (Brisbane) – Levi Ashcroft
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – MID, 178cm
Picks Given: 27,34,42,43,58
The only player in Talent League history to win three consecutive premierships, Levi Ashcroft has proven himself in every aspect. He is an excitement machine with competitiveness at stoppage and forward half flare that captivates viewers.
Ashcroft’s running power and footy smarts around the ground have translated at every level this year, including a 35 disposal and one goal game for Brisbane’s VFL side.
Pick 5. (Adelaide) – Sid Draper
South Adelaide/South Australia – MID, 182cm
The home-grown South Australian talent is dashing and daring with ball in hand, producing stellar performances at SANFL level to match it with senior bodies, which arguably makes him the most senior-ready among the top five prospects.
Draper’s low centre of gravity is incredible, making his ground ball efforts and forward-half movements near impossible to restrict.
Pick 6. (Melbourne) – Josh Smillie
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro – MID, 195cm
Despite having a patchy season with questions around his intensity, Smillie made it clear that his peak performance is damaging and AFL-ready.
The tall inside-midfielder is damaging with his stoppage craft, possessing a neat kick and creative mindset in the forward half, which often leads to a couple of scoring shots per game.
Pick 7. (Richmond) – Harvey Langford
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country – MID/FWD, 191cm
If Richmond doesn’t take Sam Lalor with Pick 1, they’ll likely turn their attention to Langford, a strong midfielder with an elite contested ability above his head inside 50.
The beauty with Langford is his versatility, with the options to plant him into every stoppage with a knack for moving the ball inside 50 or to move him inside 50 with the potential to kick three or four goals a game.
Pick 8. (St Kilda) – Bo Allan
Peel Thunder/Western Australia – MID/DEF, 191cm
This may be the curveball of the first round, but the Saints need speed through their midfield, and between the options of Murphy Reid and Bo Allan, Allan possesses the superior explosiveness.
The Western Australian product is a damaging stoppage player, with elite agility and poise by foot, applying pressure around the ground through his contested capability, still with a lot of potential to develop his end product.
Pick 9. (St Kilda) – Harry Armstrong
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – FWD, 195cm
Finding some help for Max King inside 50 will come no clearer than Armstrong, the contested marking forward who has proven clinical inside 50 in the back end of 2024.
Armstrong’s understanding of forward craft makes his decisions effective, and he capitalises on each opportunity, with a proven track record of great set shot kicking and standing up in big moments.
Pick 10. (Gold Coast) – Leo Lombard
Gold Coast Suns Academy/Queensland – MID/FWD, 179cm
Picks Given: 38,40,48,58,67,73,76
The Suns have nurtured Lombard to perfection through their Academy and VFL system, producing the most competitive midfielder in the crop, known for his tenacity around stoppage and forward half ability.
VFL Premiership winner at 16 years of age, Lombard is a playmaker in transition, taking charge with his power and strength to hit the scoreboard or create opportunities for others inside 50.
Pick 11. (Melbourne) – Jobe Shanahan
Bendigo Pioneers/New South Wales/ACT – FWD, 195cm
Shanahan alongside Armstrong has proven himself as one of the best key forwards of the draft, but is more so known for his contested marking and scoreboard impact through his efforts higher up the ground.
Has played everywhere in his junior days and has a strong ability to work through one-on-one contests, with a game that stacks up at ground level as well where he’s clean and sharp to keep the ball moving.
Pick 12. (Richmond) – Alixzander Tauru
Gippsland Power/Vic Country – DEF, 193cm
Tauru’s rise up the ranks has been well documented and it is thanks to his ability to crash packs and take incredible intercept marks.
Played across each third of the ground this year, Tauru has showcased strong versatility, opportunistic in every role, made effective by his athleticism and quick thinking, although there is scope for improvement in efficiency with his kicking.
Pick 13. (Richmond) – Tobie Travaglia
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country – DEF, 187cm
Dash and dare, Travaglia has established himself as the best offensive connector out of the defensive 50, with his speed and competitiveness around the contest.
Travaglia’s intercepting makes him a threat both in the air and at ground level, often used well in offensive chains by hand and feet, and a productive two-way runner.
Pick 14. (West Coast) – Xavier Lindsay
Gippsland Power/Vic Country – MID/DEF, 183cm
The smartest footballer in the draft, Lindsay’s creativity and poised understanding of how to move the footy makes him a major steal outside the top 10.
Playing his footy off half-back and as an inside midfielder throughout his juniors, Lindsay is damaging per possession, a hard worker in transition, an elite kick, and was often the backbone of Gippsland’s midfield to set up offensive patterns.
Pick 15. (Port Adelaide) – Murphy Reid
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – MID, 181cm
Reid dropping to 15 would be an exciting prospect for Port Adelaide, who would benefit from his silky creativity with ball in hand, which makes time slow down, especially with his offensive movement.
Reid’s poise with ball in hand makes him a unique midfielder who utilises forward craft instincts to aid his game, he roves well around stoppages to find quick outlets and make great decisions.
Pick 16. (Fremantle) – Joe Berry
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country – FWD, 181cm
Berry rose to the scene early this year with his dynamic running capacity high up the ground and back inside 50, damaging with his scoreboard impact with bags of four or more goals on multiple occasions.
The small-forward is damaging at ground level and smart with his leading patterns to create space and separation to often get quite easy looks at goal.
Pick 17. (Essendon) – Isaac Kako
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro – FWD, 176cm
Picks Given: 30,33
Excitement comes in many forms in this draft, but Kako is a different type that the Bombers have lucked out on, acquiring an elite forward-half ball user who kicks goals, sets up goals, and dazzles with speed.
Kako has elevated his game throughout the year with his ability to create opportunities higher up the ground in transition, clean around loose ball scrimmages to generate forward movement, however, still lacks defensive pressure at times.
Pick 18. (GWS) – Luke Trainor
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – DEF, 194cm
Trainor has been projected as high as the top five throughout 2024, but has ultimately slid as a result of recurring concussions.
His value as a player remains incredibly high, with one of the best defensive-half footy brains to come in and intercept off half-back and distribute efficiently by foot to spark transition.
Pick 19. (GWS) – Taj Hotton
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – MID/FWD, 182cm
Much like Trainor, Hotton has slid down the list as a result of an ACL injury that may deter clubs, however, the talent is raw and he will be undeniably prosperous.
Hotton’s athleticism stacks up with the best in the draft class, known for his high-flying nature inside forward 50, agile bodywork, and speed inside the midfield which damages opponents in a matter of seconds.
Pick 20. (Western Bulldogs) – Jesse Dattoli
Northern Knights/Vic Metro – MID/FWD, 179cm
Dattoli adds a crafty and elusive balance to each midfield he’s in, a smart runner in the forward half of the ground where he’s often able to lose his opponent and sneak into small pockets inside forward 50 to take uncontested marks.
Dattoli’s unafraid to make moments his own with his natural goal sense and can produce multiple eye-catching efforts in an outing.
Pick 21. (Richmond) – Christian Moraes
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro – MID/FWD, 183cm
Moraes enters this draft as one of the best outside players, explosive by nature and well-versed in his offensive running patterns.
A determined competitor with a consistent ability to hit the scoreboard, Moraes can be utilised as an inside midfielder also, with quick ball skills by hand and the ability to accumulate possessions across the ground.
Pick 22. (Sydney) – Matt Whitlock
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country – RUCK/FWD, 200cm
Whilst still quite raw in his development, Whitlock’s size has made him an asset in both defensive and forward halves of the ground, starting in the backline before moving inside 50 to become a goal-scoring weapon.
Whitlock uses his body well to stay mobile in the air and at ground level, agile around the contest, but willing to get up in the air for a strong mark.
Pick 23. (Richmond) – Jack Whitlock
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country – FWD/RUCK, 200cm
Jack possesses similar traits to his twin brother, playing predominantly as a key forward with regular shifts in the ruck.
Whitlock showcased a great contested marking ability and was often willing to push further up the ground and remain mobile at ground level to keep the ball moving forward, still very raw with a lot of upside for a tall.
Pick 24. (GWS) – Tom Gross
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro – MID/FWD, 181cm
Gross is a daring talent with power and explosiveness out of the centre stoppage into the forward half with a proven ability to impact on the scoreboard as well.
Gross’ work-rate often allows him to drift inside 50 and act as a small forward with his opportunistic characteristics at ground level.
Pick 25. (Sydney) – Cooper Hynes
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country – MID/FWD, 190cm
Known for his explosiveness out of stoppage and forward 50 power, Hynes produces energy with his touches, able to link up well with teammates in the forward half to create opportunities.
Hynes’ ability to hit the scoreboard from forward 50 stoppages is admirable, often snapping around his body for a trademark goal.
Pick 26. (Richmond) – Jonty Faull
GWV Rebels/Vic Country – FWD, 194cm
Faull has been a consistent hard worker this year, building his craft as a key forward to not only dominate inside 50 with his contested marking but also further up the ground where he’s become a valuable marking target in transition.
While he can have quiet periods, Faull is often proactive in his response to turn things around and get things back on his terms with direct matchups, capable of a big bag.
Pick 27. (Richmond) – Alex Dodson
Sturt/South Australia – RUCK, 201cm
The prized South Australian ruckman might push clubs to trade up ahead of the second night, with a well-versed ability to act as a tall midfielder with his follow-up work at stoppages.
Dodson’s basketball background makes him a mobile figure on the field, able to work up and down the field well and physically impose his direct opponent.
Pick 28. (Western Bulldogs) – Harrison Oliver
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro – DEF, 181cm
Reliability is never a given with any player, but Oliver offers just that with his intercepting capability off half-back, punishing the opposition with his vision to open up the ground.
Oliver’s National Championships was the pinnacle of his performances this year, showcasing his agility and contested work in clutch moments throughout the series and later in the year during Sandringham’s premiership run.Comment
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